Refrigerating apparatus



June 9, 1931.

L. L. TORREY REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 31, .1925

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

vwentoa June 9, 1931. 1.. 1.. TORREY Q-REFRIGERATING APPARATUS 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 31, 1925 L- r p- 7 Y June 9, 1931. L. TORREY1,809,002

REFR IGERAT I NG APPARATUS Filed Jan. 31, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 PatentedJune 9, 1931 PATENT OFFICE LUCIEN L. TORREY, 015 LOS ANG-EIQES,CALIFORNIA.

BEFRIGERATING APPARATUS Application filed January 31, 1925. Serial No.6,079.

cally driven pump contained within a tank I which simultaneously servesas container for the gaseous refrigerant and for lubricating oil. In thelatter application particularly, I have shown such a unit in which adouble tank is employed; the electric motor and associated compressorare mounted within the inner tank, so that the compressor is lubricatedby the oil and is adapted to compress the gases contained in such innertank and deliver these gases into the annular space between the tanks. Asuitable cooling system is provided for the compressed gases, which areliquefied and delivered through a pipe to an expansion valve forre-gasificati-on, and return as gases to the inner tank.

In former systems of this type, when it becomes necessary to inspect orrepair the refrigerating unit, the gas must first be withdrawn in somemanner to avoid suffocation of the repairman. This primary operationusually involves the wasting of the charge, and is often accompanied byserious difliculties since many municipalities prohibit the discharge ofsuch offensive or noxious substances to the atmosphere.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to so construct andassemble the constituent parts of the refrigerating unit, that it is nolonger necessary to discharge the apparatus totally, prior to inspectionof any moving part.

Further and detailed objects will appear in the course of the followingspecification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a vertical section through a refrigerating unit of myimproved type;

Fig. 2 is a detail view in section of a valve disposed between thecompressor and annular tank space;

- Fig. 3 is a detail view of a modified type of valve;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of another modified type, and Fig. 5 is afragmentary view showing the draw-off cook.

The refrigerating unit is shown as having an outer tank 1 with bottom 2.The inner tank 5 has the flange 8 at its open upper end to assist inseating it in the outer tank. A cover 3 is provided for the tanks. Inthe. present improved construction, the upper flanges 1 and 8 of the twotanks are thickened, so that the bolts 4 may be inserted from belowthrough proper aperture in flange 1* and screwed into threaded aperturesin the flange 8. The two tanks are thus held in invariable relation,regardless of whether the cover 3 is in position or not; and form ahermetic seal for the annular space 9 between the tanks.

The cover 3 has the insulated plug 3 for the passage of the conductingwires for the electric motor 13; and a plug 3 which serves to admit airto the inner tank to break the vacuum therein, as will be more closelydescribed hereinafter. This cover is secured as a hermetic seal for theinner tank 5 by means of bolts 4.

A spacer 6 is employed to space the lower portion of the inner tank 5and hold it in proper relation to the outer tank 1. The cooling coil 10for compressed gases is pro vided in the annular chamber 9.

The moving parts of the refrigerating unit are contained in the innertank 5. They comprise an electric motor 13 driving a shaft 20. Thisshaft by means of a worm 21 drives the worm gear 27 and therewith thecompressor shaft having eccentrics 28 thereon. These eccentrics actuatethe rods 23 and thereby the pistons 39 of the compressor. The wormgearing and eccentrics are held in a housing comprised of elements 24,24, and which is extended upward to form the cylinders 26 of thecompressor.

The piston 39 has a spring-held intake valve 40 in its head, The upperend of the cylinder 26 is closed by the casting 45 having ports andspring-held outlet valves 47 therein; and a chamber 51 for reception ofthe compressed gases. This chamber is continued as a passage 52 leadingto a discharge port 100. The motor 13 is bolted at its base 16 to thecasting 45.

The motor and compressor assembly is held in fixed relation to the tankassembly by a cavity 7 b in its base fitting over a boss 7 on the innertank 5, and by a boss 14 which is received in a cavity 15 of the cover3.

A lubricating system for the moving ele ments is shown diagrammaticallyby the piping 63, 66.

Securely bolted as at 107 to the interior wall of the inner tank 5 is acasting 101, having a cored or bored passage ,102 therethrough. Athreaded valve plug 103 is mounted within this casting, to receive avalve 104 having a threaded stem 105. In alinement with the valve is aseat 106 at the end of a passage in registry with a port in the wall ofthe inner tank 5, as at 108.

The method of employing therefrigerating unit is as follows: -When atrest, with all parts of the unit, the associated discharge pipe D, theexpansion valve and expansion coil (not shown) and the return pipe 11 atuniform pressure of refrigerating agent such as sulfur dioxide, theelectric motor is set'in motion. The compressor sucks gas from the innertank and delivers it under pressure into chamber 51 from which it passesthrough passage 52, past valve 104 when open, through passage 108 to theannular chamber 0. In this chamber 9, the compressed gases are cooledand condensed by cooling coil 9,

and the liquefied product passes out through discharge pipe D forexpansion and return through pipe 11 and shut-off valve V, to the innertank. The cycle contin'r. .s so long as the electric motor is inoperation.

Now, if it be desired to inspect or repair any of the moving parts inthe inner tank, or to replenish the oil supply in its base, the motor isenergized as before, and the valve V closed. The motor and compressorunit now eyacuates the inner tank to a relatively high degree. Thereturn of any compressed gases from the annular chamber 9 and thechamber 51 is prevented by valves 47 and 40. The vacuum in the innertank may now be relieved by plug 3 The cover 3 may now be removed, whenit will be found that only a very slight quantity of sulfur dioxide orother refrigerating agent remains in the inner tank. The valve 104 isnow closed, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, to seal the passage 108between the tanks; and the entire motor and compressor assembly may bereleased between castings 45 and 101, and removed for inspection andrepair. During this operation, the bolts 4 hold the two tanks together,and seal the compressed gases and liquid in the annular chamber againstrelease.

The replacing of the parts occurs in the reverse manner. The motor andcompressor assembly is placed in its allotted position, and casting 51is bolted fast to casting 101. The valve 104is opened. The cover 3 isreplaced, and the air in the inner tank replaced by refrigerating agent.The plug 3 is replaced. When valve V is opened, the system will functionas before.

A modified form of valve has been shown in Fig. 3. In this, the valve isoperable from the exterior of the outer tank 1, even before the cover 3is removed. The casting 101 is formed to receive a valve seat 110 forcooperation with a valve head 104 with a threaded stem 105. As before,this valve controls the communication between passages 102 and 108. Apacking 111 of wicking or the like is interposed around the stem 105 atthe point where it passes through the wall of the inner tank, and asimilar packing 113 at the point where it passes through the outer tank.Setting gland nuts 112 and 114 respectively, are employed to maintainthe packing tight. The operation and manipulation of the system and itselements is the same as before.

A further modification in the arrangement is shown in Fig. 4, in whichthe casting 51 is bolted directly to the inner tank 5. A threadedbushing 110 presents a renewable valve seat for the valve head 104mounted with its stem and operative portion 105 extending through theouter tank 1. For ease of removing and replacing the movable parts ofthe valve, they are carried by a bushing 114 which may be screwed intothe wall of the outer tank 1 so they may be withdrawn v as a unit. Apacking 113 is compressed around the stem by the packing ring 114 andthe cap 114. In this construction, the valve head 104 may be caused toseal either the communication between the two tanks when in the positionshown; or to seal off and cooperate with the packing 113 when in itsother end position.

Another feature in the use of the valves is that of convenience when forany reason the motor-compressor unit ceases to function. In such case,the valve V is closed as before; and a short hose connected to thevalved nipple 3 (Fig. 5). This valved nipple then permits the gas in theinner tank to be withdrawn and discharged, for example, into water torender it innocuous. A vacuum pump. may be'inserted in this hose line,if desired, and the gas remaining after the free escape has occurred maybe pumped out.

It is apparent that although preferred forms of execution have beenshown and described in detail, that the invention is not limited to suchembodiments, but may be varied witl the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Lettors-Patent, is-

condition preventing reflux of gas from said outer to said inner tankthrough said compressor, and means to shut oif communicatlon etween saidtanks in the inoperative condition of said compressor.

2. In a refrigerating apparatus, a firstand a second tank, a motor and acompressor in said first tank in driving relation and posi-,

tively connected together whereby such assembly may be removed from saidfirst tank as a unit, means to deliver gaseous refrigerant to said firsttank, a discharge conduit from said compressor opening into said secondtank, and means to close said conduit in the absence of said compressor,whereby said motor and compressor may be removed from said first tankwithout leakage of refrigerant from said second tank.

3. In a refrigerating apparatus, an outer tank, an inner tank in saidouter tank and closing the same, a motor, a compressor in said innertank in driving relation with said motor, a conduit from said compressorto deliver gas into said outer tank, and means to close said conduitwhereby said compressor may be removed from said inner tank withoutleakage of gas from said outer tank.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, an outer tank, an inner tank in saidouter tank and closing the same, a motor and a compressor in said innertank in driving relation and positively connected together, a conduitfrom said compressor to deliver gas into said outer tank, and means toclose said conduit whereby said motor and compressor may be removed fromsaid inner tank as a unit without leakage from said outer tank.

5. In a refrigerating apparatus, a condensing tank, a gaseousrefrigerant receiving tank forming a seal for said condensing tank, acover to form a seal for said receiving tank, a conduit between saidtanks, and means to close said conduit whereby either of said tanks maybe opened without leakage of gas from the other.

6. In a refrigerating unit including inner and outer tanks, the inner ofsaid tanks being removably secured to and sealing the other to form aclosed annular chamber therebetween, means to deliver gaseousrefrigerant into said inner tank, a removable cover to close said innertank from the atmosphere, a-

compressor in said inner tank adapted to take said gaseous refrigeranttherefrom, a conduit from said. compressor communicating with saidannular chamber to deliver compressed gaseous refrigerant thereto, acooling coil in said annular chamber, and a liquid refrigerantwithdrawal conduit leading from the bottom of'said annular chamber. In arefrigerating unit including inner and outer tanks, the inner of saidtanks being removably secured to and sealing the other to form a closedannular chamber therebetween, means to deliver gaseous refrigerant intosaid inner tank, a removable cover to close saidinner tank from theatmosphere, a compressor in said inner tank adapted to take said gaseousrefrigerant therefrom, a conduit from said compressor communicating withsaid annular chamber to deliver compressed gaseous refrigerant thereto,a valve in said conduit to close the passage betweensaid tanksindependently of the valves of said compressor, a cooling coil in saidannular chamber, and a liquid refrigerant withdrawal conduit leadingfrom the bottom of said annular chamber.

8. In a refrigerating unit including inner and outer tanks, outwardlydirected flanges at-the mouths of each of said tanks, the inner of saidtanks presenting its flange upon the flange of the outer tank to closethe same and to form a closed annular chamber therebetween, means toremovably secure said flanges together to seal said annular chamber,means to deliver gaseous refrigerant into said inner tank, a removablecover having a flange to fit the flange of said inner tank and adaptedto close said inner tank from the atmosphere, means to secure said coverto said flange of said inner tank, a compressor in said inner tankadapted to take gaseous recompressor communicating with said annularchamber to deliver compressed gaseous refrigerant thereto.

9. In a refrigerating unit including inner and outer tanks, the inner ofsaid tanks being removably secured to and sealing the other to form aclosed annular chamber therebetween, a removable cover to close saidinner tank from the atmosphere, said cover being uppermost in theassembly of the unit, means establishing communication with the upperpart of said inner tank to deliver gaseous refrigerant thereto, saidmeans passing through the walls of said tanks adjacent said cover, acompressor in said inner tank adapted to take said gaseous refrigeranttherefrom, a conduit from said compressor communicating with saidannular chamber to deliver compressed gaseous refrigerant thereto, saidconduit providing a communication through the wall of said inner tankadjacent said cover, and a liquid refrigerant withdrawal conduit leadingfrom the bottom of said annular chamber upwardly and. passing throughthe wall of said outer tank adjacent sa id cover.

10. In a refrigerating unit including inner and outer tanks, the innerof said tanks being removably secured to and sealing the other to form aclosed annular chamber therebetween, means to deliver gaseousrefrigerant into said inner tank, a removable cover to close said innertank from the atmosphere, a motor and a compressor in said inner tankexposed to gaseous refrigerant and in drivin relation with each other,said compressor taking said gaseous refrigerant from said inner tank,and a conduit from said compressor communicating with said annularchamber to deliver compressed gaseous refrigerant thereto.

11. In a refrigerating unit including inner and outer tanks, the innerof said tanks being removably secured to and sealing the other to form aclosed annular chamber therebetween, said inner tank having a supply oflubricating oil therein, means to' cool said outer tank whereby tocondense refrigerant therein to establish a liquid refrigerant level atthe bottom .thereof, a removable cover to close said inner tank from theatmosphere,

a motor and a compressor in said inner tank exposed to gaseousrefrigerant and in driving relation with each other, said compressortaking said gaseous refrigerant from said inner tank, and a conduit fromsaid compressor communicating with said annular chamher to delivercompressed gaseous refrigerant thereto.

12. In a refrigerating apparatus, an outer tank, means connected withthe outer tank to effect condensation of the gaseous refrigeranttherein, an inner tank in said outer tank, means to close said tanksagainst the atmosphere, a conduit to deliver gaseous refrigerant to saidinner tank, a motor and a compressor in said 1nner tank, said inner tankbeing adapted to have a-level of lubricating oil in the bottom thereof,said compressor taking the gaseous refrigerant from the said inner tankat a point removed from said .lu-

bricating oil and compressing it, said compressor being driven by saidmotor, and a conduit leading the compressed gaseous refrigerant fromsaid compressor into said outer tank, whereby the lubricating oil insaid inner tank is maintained free from condensed refrigerant liquid andthe condensed refrigerant liquid in said outer tank is maintainedsubstantially free from lubricating oil.

13. In a refrigerating apparatus, an outer tank, means connected withthe outer tank to efiect the condensation of the gaseous refri eranttherein, an inner tank in said outer tan and adapted to containlubricating oil for the apparatus, a conduit to deliver gaseousrefrigerant to said inner tank, a motor, a compressor in said inner tankand taklng gaseous refrigerant therefrom and driven from said motor, aconduit discharging compressed gaseous refrigerant from said compressorinto said outer tank, means to seal said tanks from each other and fromthe atmosphere except through said conduits, and means to close saidconduits whereby the therein, a motor, a compressor in the inner tankand driven by said motor and comprising a crank case havingcommunication with the inner tank, said com ressor having a cylinder anda piston mova le therein, said piston including an inlet valve for the,compressor whereby gaseous refrigerant may pass from the inner tankthrough the crank case and said valve into the cylinder, and a deliveryconduit from said compressor opening into said outer tank.

15. Inv a refrigerating apparatus, two tanks mounted one within another,means connected with the outer tank to effect condensation of thegaseous refrigerant therein,

a motor in said inner tank, a compressor in said inner tank and drivenby said motor, said motor and compressor being exposed to gaseousrefrigerant in said inner tank to be cooled thereby, means to delivergaseous refrigerant to said inner tank, and a delivery conduit from saidcompressor opening into said outer tank.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my si ature.

LUCIEN L. TOR EY.

